Don't mind me. I'm just binge watching old fort 9 vids even though I can't even get my bicycle running right.

I was talking to some V-strom 1000s just the other day. They told me they thought Ryan looked like a bit of a doofus and didn't want anything to do with him. Said something about one of their family members being held against their will.

The interview format really worked here

I've ridden over 100,000 miles on my Vstrom including quite a bit of off road. All touring / adventure mileage. And I must agree that this is the best and most accurate review of the bike I've ever seen. Props to you guys.

Great honest review. I felt the exact same way when I first saw the V-Strom. I'd gone to the dealer to look at an FJ-09 and a Versys 1000, both of which were new at the time. The dealer wasn't dealing on either of those bikes, but he pointed out an 2014 leftover V-Strom and said, "I can make you a deal on that". Suzuki had a whopping rebate and I ended up paying $9400 for the Vee. I wasn't terribly excited about it, but I couldn't pass up the deal given the Versys 1000 was going to cost nearly $15,000. I figured for the money, if I didn't like it I could dump it for not much loss. Two years later, and I just can't say anything bad about the Vee. It's just good at anything I throw at it. It's been stone axe reliable. I've ridden it over football sized rocks for 10 miles of rough trail, I've tackled the Tail of the Dragon, and I've ridden two up. I've even taken an extended ride on a friends 2017 BMW 1200 GS and I actually liked my Vee better. She's not a pretty girl, but she has all the right moves.

Coming to this old review after watching so much f9 in the last couple years, it's easy to see how the channel blew up. Ryan just being honest rather than the new "FortNine" persona is simply ... pleasant.

The production value on these videos are just spectacular. I'd like to know who's behind the scenes.

Where the Vstrom 1000 does excel, is being an all rounder that is frighteningly invincible, effortless and cost effective to maintain. One of the most underrated and underestimated bikes on the market.

That engine was designed in the mid '90s and first saw ultra reliable service in the TL1000 and then the SV1000. It's still going strong in the latest evolution of the V-Strom. The previous versions of the XT 1000 have now become the ADV bargains of the decade.

I'm making the transition from my Ninja to an adventure bike and this is exactly what I need, a straight-up, honest review. 😎👍

2018 DL650 ABS I can confirm that this video is spot on. I call my vstrom the perfect wing man. Down for everything. I can spend a few hours getting to some nice trails with easy . And it does pretty well on light fireroads. And gets you back home in comfort again all for well under 10k. Its a no brainer first ADV bike in my opinion. It allows you to realize what you do more of and what direction your future bike will go . It is my first. And i'm not parting with it anytime soon. By the time it gets old and tired I will have comfortably (on and off road)constructed a great Idea for my next purchase.

One of the best, HONEST, motorcycle reviews I've seen. Great job buddy. BTW- Enjoying how the production value and your comfort in and pose in front of the camera has progressed. Not easy things.

Ryan, this is the single best video I've seen you do. Excellent format (Q&A v. Exposition), a relaxed setting, and superb in terms of useful review information. I know that some of this comes from your extended experience with this particular machine and that you aren't afforded that opportunity with other bikes. All in all, really, really good. I hope that you can migrate some of these elements into future videos. Cheers.

Whenever I need advice on anything motorcycle related, your channel is the first place I check. Picked up a 2014 1000 in the same red paint last week. Looking forward to putting some miles on it. Thanks for all the great content.

I love the style of the Videos :D Biker greetings from Austria

The style of this review is really enjoyable to watch mate. Excellent job! Look forward to more like this.

I’ve watched this video (along with many others of yours) so many times. A review of the new V-Strom 1050 would be so cool from you! Cheers from Idaho

Just want to say I love your videos and your style. Keep up the good work!

Good job, makes me wanna buy one, oh yeah, I already did....

You see, this is the kind of video I really enjoy. Honest and goodness review of a bike, untethered with bias views. Love it. Cheers.

I bought a DL1000 in 2003 and sold it last year after 95,000 happy miles. Great bike.

Nice interview Ryan! And equally nice review... Stay safe bud.

I just bought this bike, your review influenced my purchase quite a bit! Looking forward to putting some miles on this beast!

Still riding my2005 DL1000 today, smooth running never let me down.

Suzuki offers great value for all of its bikes. Adventure bikes are swiss army knives - good at a lot of things, but not great at anything.

Just now saw this in my stream. Absolutely had to watch it. Excellent video!

Just bought a VStrom myself. So far I love it!

A few years later, and I reckon this review format has aged quite well.

Very balanced review of a very good bike. I had the 2003 model.Very easy to work on, very roomy bike, and excellent lighting at night when both headlights were on, not just one. Great lighting pattern. Not so great on gas mileage but the bike's profile is rather tall and the fuel delivery in stop and go traffic is spotty, even with the Power Commander III. The wind protection on the freeway is very good I think, but I found the suspension a bit harsh, even adjusted. I miss it dearly... Your review brought back memories, even though it's a different model year.

You have the best most real world reviews and I love your commentary on your videos!

I love my V Strom 1000; Jack of all, master of none. Most complete ‘all round’ bike on the market IMHO 😉👍🏻

Love the honesty, that's why I buy my gear from F9

I really like your choice of locations! Keep it up!

Really great honest review. Refreshing.

Would like to say what a cracking video, very informative and very well made , I'm actually looking at the v-strom at the moment as my next bike, can't see anything wrong with it whatsoever, this video was definitely very very useful ,cheers Ryan.

Ryan your description is GREAT, I am much older than you, with more miles on all cylinders HOWEVER your vids are kick... Brilliant, will look much deeper into Fort Nine because of you!

I don't know how old Ryan is but he looks very young yet is so wise as if he's been living since the invention of motorcycles😊

I absolutely love every single one of your videos. The detail and work you put into them is awesome. I’m not an adventure rider so even though I don’t relate to the bikes featured I do enjoy watching very much.

Ryan- THANK YOU! I have 19 1000xt and was worried about how flat the power is over 5k and the vibration, thinking something might be wrong w my awesome bike. But you mentioned those things are just the engine characteristics. Thank you for calming my worries. And your production quality is incredible!!

Really good review ! I appreciate his blunt honesty about something initially not his choice !! I got a great deal of insight from his comments !!! His 2 years time spent riding the V Strom makes me wander how many miles/hours and maintenance and care was actually needed/done ? I may get one myself

I like that he loves his bike and is passionate about it but at the same time honest about its short-comings.

This is a very old video but wow the informationis priceless.Just a flood of accurate real world info.Thanks Ryan.

"every part is really accessible"- you must be on your original air filter.:p

Beautiful cinematography!

I owned the 650 vstrom. 2012 in fox orange. Great bike. Bought it twice ! If I get a v storm again probably go with model shown. In 10 years I’ve bought 10 motorcycles. Always do reviews prior. Yours are really great. You and Shawn from SRK are the two best reviewers. Thanks for the lesson/information/ and the skill set you bring to your videos. Bravo!

Love your work Ryan and crew since I watched you kill your own KLR 650 you guys are the cutting edge! Great info greAt footage rolled into an entertaining package. May you go from strength to strength. But don't become just like the rest. 🙏

I bought one of these this year. It surprised me with how good it was on gravel roads but I still haven't found the suspension settings that I like. I find the front too harsh and the rear too bouncy, even with rebound damping set to max. One of the best mods I did was lower wider footpegs from SW Motech. Also, Skidplate, crashbars, LED lights, cruise, heated grips, GPS, topbox and Eastern Beaver power distribution module and I'm pretty happy. I even like the stock Battle wings. I find it doesn't shift into sixth gear very well and the engine also increases revs by itself when the clutch starts to release. I know other Suzukis have and anti stall feature but I don't think the 15 Strom has this. Anyone else notice this?

Alright, not only are the reviews stellar but on top of that Ryan is roughly my height and weight, allowing me to check the actual bikes size. Subbed.

I just got a 2021 dl650...LOVE IT!!! 447 km per tank, less than 500lbs. its great comuter, fun touring..just got the rad guard, skid plate is on the way with sadle bags, crash bars come next. Thanks dude...you helped me chose between the Himalayan, pan American, klr, super ten and a BMW...the DL650 won

nice review, it was quite a surprise that you were not in love with the bike since day one.

Nice review man and awesome setting. I know you say it doesn't excel in any department but it seems to be a good all rounder. Tcrs fella ✊

Interesting setup very enjoyable to watch!

great videos mate! really enjoying the channel!

Spot on. Very underrated motorcycle. Loved mine. Hoping for another soon.

As for working on it yourself and maintenance, I would bet the Suzuki will prevail. Cheers

I just bought a Vstrom DL1000 and im in love with it

Really good review. There is something unique about F9 video production. It works.

Top reveiws Ryan. Greetings from the uk

Very nice review. VStrom 1000 is a great bike and a great value for money. I almost got one last year but the only thing that made me hesitate was the fact that it is a little top heavy and as a short rider, I needed a bike that was easy to handle. Compared with the Africa Twin, which is of nearly the same weight, the Twin has a lower centre of gravity and feels like a lighter bike. I decided last year to wait until I got the Twin and I am glad I did so.

thanks for the nice review..hope u guys enjoyed Québec!

I just bought one of these in Oct '16 . I'm 5'11" so it's tippy toes when I stop. Once I start rolling, though, the seat is very comfortable. I do love the power delivery and the way it goes through the curves. nice adjustable windscreen keeps the wind blast off of my chest but still wind on my helmet. Kept her in TC1 and got her to lose traction on a dirt road. nice torque. She is a duckling but the way she performs is surprising and comforting

FortNine, the quality of your contents is top-notch!

Own this bike 3 weeks, came with an aftermarket exhaust. Travelled almost 2700 kms. I love it.

Hey man...totally dig your approach and reviews. This bike is on my short list to add one to the garage next to my DRZ. As a tall dude, your ergos and opinion help me greatly. THX

Would love to get an SV review. I’m eyeing it as my first bike. But thanks for all the vids, really enjoying them. Cheers

You know when a channel is truly talented, when one will watch the entire video review of a product the viewer has no interest in.

Thanks for that got me a DL650 2018 and really enjoying it thinking about getting the Dl1000 next year but do like the fuel range on it over 450 km on a tank might take one for a test ride Cheers for new Zealand

Great edit / review. With all of the reviews, etc that you have done over the years; Does this review make you want to do a list of "Unsuspecting Heroes" in the motorcycle world... Sort of a list of "black swan" bikes that often go overlooked, yet perform beyond expectation? Just a thought. Stay safe.

Good interview, super enjoyable to watch, and honest.

I bought a used 1050XT, and I've had some awesome times taking it offroad, even with the stock tires. Definitely had to invest in that skid plate early on, but it's just an extremely capable machine as long as you respect it.

Yo what the hell is that eloquence and filming location. So good, yall

Your reviews belong to the best. And very nice. Thanks.

Thank you for this review. Every time I try to get an offroad review on the vstroms it like asking if I'm going to do the Baja or Six Days.

Well done! Very informative video. tons of good stuff.

Whenever a Motorcycle company need advertising they should come to U great videos you guys make and excellent style of explanation big fan F9

Great videos. Keep them coming please!

I love this video format

I love the DL1000 - I've been able to zip off the pavement and through some fire roads and they are all good. It is still a heavy bike off road but seems easier than some of its adventure tour competition.

That is some beautiful landscape you have there. I’m from South Africa, Cape Town and have very similar topography but don’t get the snow.

Insane quality production.

I love your channel, Outstanding reviews. I was wondering if you are doing a review on the 2020 KTM 790 any time soon?

Great stuff. Wish you the best.

I have the vstrom 650 2018. Actually, 13k km. Im pretty sure it is not the best adventure bike, but is by far the most leveled withing all the aspects. In my case, the previous bike i had was a gs800 2014 that had way more vibrations but with the vstrom 650 with the 20 liters tank I manage to do 400km (250mi) almost every tank. (record in 465km/290mi) When I bought it, i was looking for the 1000 vstrom, and after testing both I decided for the 650 (cheaper and lighter hahahaha) but i was a bit undecided because of the less cc but... after all I can really say like Ryan, I do not regret at all.

Love your reviews and this channel. Please review a Level 3 Rally Raid Honda CB500X!

After numerous videos, hearing your stuff, the content and what I feel is close to "brutal honesty", without insulting the manufacture... you have my trust. Hoping you do comparison of V Strom 1000 vs Africa Twin. I'm more touring than off road. Thx.

I still can't get used to the idea that Joffrey Baratheon went into journalism and started reviewing bikes.

I would love to see a review of the 2018 V-Strom 650XT

Thanks for the videos! Very educational and fun.

you guys are getting good at this

My first bike - 2009 V-Strom 650. And now she's sitting in a garage, it's freezing outside and I can't wait for spring.

Loved my 2008 DL1000. I'm an old rider and the seating position was very comfortable.

Have had 3. Currently ride 2014 adventure strom. I have never had a problem and ride it offroad daily. It is my fave and affordable. KLR 650 AND YZ 450 are a couple others I have road through hell and back with great satisfaction. 🔥

I really like your honest review of the DL1000A. I also have one and I really do love it. My only bitch is the lack of cruise control.

Ryan you make great videos, how don't you have more subs??! Maybe this summer you will blow up and get a ton. 👍🏻

I really enjoy your reviews. Your passion for riding is infectious!

Had one of these. It was a great bike! Only got rid of it because I got into cruisers. I'd own one again. Great brakes, suspension, handling and I liked the power.

That was one of the most level-headed and honest reviews I've ever seen.

I realize I am a "bit late" to the party! But I have to say that I love this video. I am a long time viewer and first time commenter. I do like the interview format of this particular piece, I think it works really well here. And the bike - well - what a surprise! Since this is 2.5 years old it makes me wonder - have you tested the new Stroms? I think that would be a nice follow-up. Anyway, thanks for the great work! I'm sub'd and look forward to more like this.

I like the different format of this review: "Let me tell you a story: It started in..." 😁👍

your reviews are so freekin good